Tonga Family Itinerary: 14 Days / 2 Weeks

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How to Get Around Tonga in Two Weeks

The itinerary below involves travel both over land and over water – that’s the beauty of travelling a South Pacific nation! While we give travel tips throughout this itinerary, here’s a quick rundown of how to get around Tonga with kids in tow.

Road Transport in Tonga

Upon arrival to each island group in Tonga, accommodations typically offer airport transfers or car rental companies can deliver vehicles to the airport. Tongatapu also has taxis. Check out How to Get an Airport Transfer in Tonga for more on the subject.

For travelling on each of the islands, car hire offers the most flexibility and convenience. Get advice on car hire from What You Need to Hire a Car in Tonga. Alternatively, this itinerary is doable in Tongatapu with a mix of taxis (see The Complete Guide to Taxis in Tonga), hiring private drivers (see How to Hire a Driver in Tonga for more advice), as well as taking guided tours such as the 10 Best Sightseeing Tours in Tonga – the latter is also available on ‘Eua. For Ha’apai, rely on your resorts to get around (some have bicycle hire) or rent a car.

Overwater Transport in Tonga

In this itinerary, we mostly recommend taking domestic flights between the island groups, which is the fastest and most convenient for most travellers – see Domestic Flights in Tonga: A Guide to Interisland Flights. We only suggest the ferry when crossing between Nuku’alofa and ‘Eua, should you want the experience – see Tonga Ferry Guide: How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel. Note that no flights or ferries operate on a Sunday and both transport services are prone to cancellations due to bad weather; that’s why this itinerary allows for extra days at each destination, as well as leaves a day between domestic and international flights.

For getting to island resorts, resorts offer their own boat transfers, which need to be arranged before arrival. Otherwise, check out A Guide to Boat Transfers & Water Taxis in Tonga for alternatives.

For all of your transport options across the islands, check out our Tonga Transport Guide: 15 Best Ways to Get Around Tonga.

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Day 1 – Arrival in Tonga

Travel time: 15-20 mins airport transfer.

Welcome to Tonga! Your arrival island is Tongatapu where you’ll land at Fua’motu International Airport. To get over your flight and prepare yourself for the two weeks ahead, we recommend spending a couple of nights in one of Tongatapu’s glorious beachfront or treehouse resorts on the east side of the island. Accommodations offer airport transfers, so arrange that before arriving on the island. They’ll be waiting for you at the airport on arrival, ready to whisk you away to paradise.

Family Accommodation on Tongatapu

• Katea Retreat
• Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses

Learn more about our top picks in the 10 Best Family Accommodations on Tongatapu.

Dining Recommendations

The recommended resorts provide meals/have a restaurant for guests. Alternatively, check out one of Tongatapu’s cultural shows and Tongan buffets, as listed in the 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga.

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Day 2 – Explore Tongatapu

Travel time: 1-3 hours drive for sightseeing (see The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga).

Take another day to relax at your resort or do a couple of short sightseeing trips in the area. Swim in the refreshing ‘Anahulu Cave, check out the mysterious Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon, swim, snorkel and play at Ha’atafu Beach. The list goes on! Either take a self-guided driving tour of Tongatapu (see A Self-Guided Day Trip of Tongatapu) or one of the 5 Best Guided Island Land Tours of Tongatapu.

Things to Do on Tongatapu with Kids

• Explore the amazing ‘Anahulu Cave
• See flying foxes at Kolovai
• Check out the awesome Mapua ‘a Vaea Blowholes
• Build sandcastles at one of Tongatapu’s beaches
• See the hilarious fishing pigs
• Watch a Tongan cultural show and indulge in a Tongan feast
• See the epic Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon.

Learn more about each experience in our 10 Best Things to Do on Tongatapu with Kids.

Dining Recommendations

If out sightseeing, lunch stops along the road include the Garden Cafe (Vaini) and Siva’s Dream Cafe (Te’ekiu). Otherwise, check out cafes in town listed in the 10 Best Cafes in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.

For dinner, your chosen resort provides meals/has a restaurant for guests. And if yesterday didn’t fall onto a buffet night, make tonight the night you do one of the 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga.

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Day 3 – Tongatapu to Ha’apai

Travel time: 15-20 mins airport transfer + 50 mins flight + 20 mins – 1 hr Ha’apai airport transfer (see Tonga Travel Times & Distances).

Now that you’re well-rested, catch a flight in a small aircraft to the jewel islands of Ha’apai, Tonga’s central island group. It will feel like a whole slower pace of life here even compared to Tongatapu. The islands are extremely family-friendly with sheltered waters to do a number of watersports – not to mention the beaches! This is where you’ll get your relaxing South Seas holiday experience in Tonga.

Your accommodation will arrange transfers from Ha’apai Salote Pilolevu Airport to your resort. Get settled in and embrace “island time”.

Family Accommodation in Ha’apai

• Matafonua Lodge
• Serenity Beaches Resort
• Kitesurf Tonga
• Diana Beach Resort
• Lindsay Guesthouse
• Sea Change Eco Retreat

Find out more about each accommodation in our 5 Best Family Accommodations in Ha’apai.

Dining Recommendations

Make your first night in Ha’apai effortless by dining at one of the recommended resorts.

© Matafonua Lodge - Tonga Ministry of Tourism

Days 4-7 – Explore Ha’apai

You have the next few days to discover what Ha’apai is all about! It’s a spectacular island group for whale watching tours between July and October thanks to its uncrowded waters with very few operators. The waters are sheltered enough for kids to snorkel, kayak and even surf from the beach.

Things to Do in Ha’apai with Kids

• Watch whales on a whale watching tour
• Check out the tropical fish by snorkelling from your resort
• Go on a family mission in a kayak or stand-up paddleboard
• Enjoy a cultural show and umu night
• Explore the islands on horseback
• Head out on a family fishing trip
• Do some reef walking
• Build sandcastles on the beach
• Check out some of the historical sites
• Drink from a coconut.

For more details on each experience, see the 10 Things To Do in Ha’apai with Kids.

Dining Recommendations

For something a little different, it’s well worth making your way to the sandy south of Lifuka Island to Leleno ki Moana (Hihifo) for beachfront dining on impeccably presented plates. Otherwise, more recommendations can be found in The Food Guide to Ha’apai: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

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Day 8 – Ha’apai to Nuku’alofa

Travel time: 20 mins – 1 hr airport transfer + 50 mins flight + 30 mins Nuku’alofa airport transfer.

It’s time to leave the islands of Ha’apai behind and discover another side of Tonga; its capital city! Ha’apai’s resorts will transport your family back to Salote Pilolevu Airport.

Once you arrive back on Tongatapu, accommodation providers can transport you to your Nuku’alofa accommodation. Otherwise, taxis and car rentals are available.

Family Accommodation in Nuku’alofa

• Little Italy Hotel & Restaurant
• Tanoa International Dateline Hotel
• JeZAmi Hotel
• Seaview Lodge & Restaurant
• Fale Tonga Guesthouse
• Villa Ishadora
• NOA Guesthouse

See the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Nuku’alofa for more details.

Dining Recommendations

Probably the most out-of-place restaurant in the islands of the South Pacific, Little Italy Restaurant (Vuna Road – west side of the palace) transports you to Europe with its damn-good family-friendly pizzas. A little further along from Little Italy, Seaview Lodge & Restaurant (Vuna Road) offers an upmarket dining experience overlooking the waterfront. For more recommendations, check out the 20 Best Restaurants in Nuku’alofa.

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Day 9 – Explore Nuku’alofa

There are plenty of reasons to take a pause in the capital, whether it’s to experience Tonga’s vibrant traditions on a culture tour, head out on a snorkelling or whale watching excursion, or simply unwind with some pool time at the Tanoa Hotel.

Family Activities in Nuku’alofa

• Go on a snorkelling excursion or island day trip to swim with coral and tropical fish
• Shop for Tongan presents at the Talamahu Market
• See the whales between July and October
• Check out interesting sights, like the Royal Palace, Royal Tombs and more
• Play and have a picnic at Fa’onelua or Popua Park
• Learn about Tongan traditions at Ancient Tonga
• Have a coffee while the kids play at the playground at Tupu’Anga Cafe
• Make your own tapa notebook, angel or doll at Tina’s Workshop.

For more information on each activity, take a look at the 10 Things to Do in Nuku’alofa with Kids.

Dining Recommendations

Builder’s Burger (Touliki) not only serves up crowd-pleasing burgers but the ocean swimming pool on its doorstep, as well as a children’s playground, makes it a must-do for families. Alternatively, while a little out of town, it’s worth making your way to Tupu’Anga Cafe (Popua) for their cassava cakes, lu pies, manioke/kumala chips, lesi (papaya) scones and home-roasted coffee. They also have free WiFi and a children’s playground. For more ideas, check out The Food Guide to Nuku’alofa: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

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Day 10 – Nuku’alofa to ‘Eua

Travel time: 5 mins wharf transfers/30 mins airport transfers + 2 hrs ferry/10 mins flight + 5-10 mins ‘Eua wharf/airport transfers.

One last island on the itinerary and this one is unlike any you have visited so far! ‘Eua is less than 20 km (11 mi) from Tongatapu, so taking the ferry from Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Wharf in the city is a cheap and manageable option for getting to this 40 million-year-old rock. Alternatively, flights are available which means heading back to Fua’amotu Airport.

On arrival to ‘Eua, accommodation providers will pick you up from the airport/wharf or you can have a rental car delivered. Either way, you’ll likely be heading to the most humble accommodation you’ve stayed in so far, but no less charming.

Family Accommodation on ‘Eua

• Seta’s Guesthouse
• Blue Water Retreat
• ‘Alakoka Tahi Moana Guest House (Kiko’s)
• Tukia Complex
• Pacific Sila Lodge
• Talei’s Guesthouse

For more information on each accommodation and more, see the 5 Best Family Accommodations on ‘Eua.

Dining Recommendations

Hum, on ‘Eua there isn’t much. Either enjoy meals provided by your accommodation, self-cater with advice from A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Tonga, or check out The Complete Travel Guide to ‘Eua for the limited restaurant options.

© Tonga Ministry of Tourism

Days 11 & 12 – Explore ‘Eua

Travel time: 30 mins – 1 hr drive for sightseeing (see The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga).

‘Eua is best described as a natural playground, which is why kids love it so much! Hop on one of The Best Guided Island Land Tours of ‘Eua or do it yourself on A Self-Guided Day Trip of ‘Eua to discover giant land bridges, limestone caves, ancient banyan trees and much more! Alternatively, join a boat tour to see whales or keep things simple with a day at the beach.

Things to Do on ‘Eua with Kids

• Explore Lakufa’anga Cliffs to see the Rock Gardens, Li’anga Huo o Maui natural arch and wild horses
• Watch the whales from a boat or shore between July and October
• Tackle one of the island’s short walks
• Explore beaches and rockpools
• Cool off in Hafu Pool and check out the Big ‘Ovava Tree
• Experience ‘Eua’s natural waterslide, Heke Slide
• Explore it all on a 4WD tour!

Learn more about each experience in the 10 Things to Do in ‘Eua with Kids.

Dining Recommendations

Whatever you decided to do today, no doubt you worked up an appetite so treat yourself to one of the island’s very few restaurants such as Talei’s Restaurant (Angaha).

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Day 13 – ‘Eua to Nuku’alofa

Travel time: 5-10 mins ‘Eua wharf/airport transfers + 2 hrs ferry/10 mins flight + 5 mins Nuku’alofa wharf transfers/30 mins airport transfers.

Although it can be difficult to leave the ruggedly beautiful island of ‘Eua behind, we recommend leaving a day earlier than your scheduled outbound flight just in case the ferry/flight out of ‘Eua is rescheduled due to unfavourable weather conditions – it happens often!

This leaves one last afternoon/evening in Nuku’alofa, so make the most of it with any of the 10 Best Things to Do in Nuku’alofa with Kids that you might have missed. And if you need a refresher on where to stay and where to eat, head over to The Travel Guide to Nuku’alofa for Families.

(c) tongapocketguide.com

Day 14 – Departure Day

Travel time: 30 mins airport transfer.

Perhaps you have time to do some sightseeing or one of the 10 Best Things to Do in Nuku’alofa with Kids if you are taking one of the evening flights out of Tonga. Otherwise, treat yourself to an indulgent breakfast at the Friends Cafe, Cafe Escape or Coffee Post before getting a taxi to Fua’amotu International Airport for the final time on your family getaway.

Your accommodation should be able to transfer you to Fua’amotu Airport from Nuku’alofa. Otherwise, book a taxi from the information centre or the taxi ranks in town.

Remember to arrive at the airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure so that you have enough time to check in, go through security and browse the small selection of retail offerings. For anything else you need to know about leaving Tonga, it’s all listed in our guide, Leaving Tonga: Departure Tips & Checklist.

And it’s “Nofo ā” (goodbye) to Tonga!